Education

Prairie Band Potawatomi Department of Education

Mission Statement

The Prairie Band Potawatotion Education Department strives to achieve an increase in leadership qualities through supporting all students in grades K-12 and through the promotion of higher education.  We provide financial assistance to students in grades K-12 and we provide scholarship awards and student grants to assist enrolled members with financial resources: to meet higher educational goals; and to increase employment through training opportunities that enhances job skills and/or technical skills.

Programs

The Education Department has 6 programs designed to meet the educational needs of all tribal members:

Adult Education: The Adult Education Program provides student grants for tribal members for assistance with GED preparation and exam fees, registration fees for conferences and/or workshops; tuition when taking only one college course, employment enrichment training/courses, professional licensure fees, continuing education units and other appropriate education activity.

Adult Vocational Training Grant Program: The AVT Program provides student grants for tribal members to attend vocational technical schools.  This includes traditional (9-12 month programs) and non-traditional (less than 9 months) programs.  Students attend training in programs such as massage therapy, cosmetology, truck driving school, and traditional vocational training: Computer technology, welding, carpentry, etc.

Higher Education Undergraduate Program: The Undergraduate Program provides scholarships to eligible tribal members to work towards and obtain a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field.  Full time students are awarded scholarships based on their year in college (i.e. Freshman - $3000/semester, Sophomore - $3500/semester, Junior - $4000/semester, Senior - $4500/semester).  Students attending Haskell or Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute are eligible for $1500/semester if living on campus and $3000/semester if living off campus.  Part time students (6-11 credit hours) are eligible for exact cost of tuition, books and fees.  Applications must be submitted and complete by the deadlines to be eligible.    Deadlines are July 1^st for Fall semester and November 1^st for Spring Semester.

Higher Education Graduate Program: The Graduate Program provides scholarships to eligible tribal members to work towards and obtain one master’s degree and one doctorate degree.  Full-time students are eligible for a maximum of $5000 per semester to be used for tuition, fees and books.  Part-time students are eligible for exact costs only.

Student Services Program (K-12): The program provides financial assistance of up to $250 per calendar year for each K-8 grade student and $400 per calendar year for each 9-12 grade student for school related activities. Eligible students must be an enrolled member of the PBPN and enrolled in public, private or home school program.

Johnson O’Malley Program: The mission of the Johnson O’Malley Program is to provide financial assistance to meet the specialized and unique educational needs of eligible Indian children. This program is a reimbursement program for eligible Indian students. Eligible students are students from age 3 to 12th grade in the following districts: USD 335 - Jackson Heights, USD 336 - Holton, USD 337 - Royal Valley, USD 321 - Kaw Valley. Students must be a member of a federally recognized tribe or provide documentation that they are ¼ total Indian blood. The J.O.M. program is a federal program and receives a grant through B.I.A. Students are eligible for financial support for: enrollment fees and basic school supplies.

Financial Aid and Education Grant Application Forms

All Students must submit an official transcript after each semester.

In order to keep all files up to date, our office must have a transcript on file. If you have graduated, please submit an official transcript reflecting your degree.

Changes have been made to all program policies. Policies for all programs are combined into one packet.

Education Program Policies


Higher Education Application Packets

Adult Education Grant Application Form

Adult Vocational Training Grant Application Form

Undergraduate Grant Application Form - Choose this packet if you are: a first semester freshman, applying for this grant for the first time, have had a break in funding.

Undergraduate Grant Renewal Form - Choose this packet if you have been funded previously with this grant with no breaks in funding.

Graduate Grant Application Form - Choose this packet if you are: applying for the first time for aid with a Master's Doctorate Degree, have had a break in funding.

Student Services Application

• Scholarship Resources